Improvement in methods of coating and finishing sword-scabbards



V. PRICE.

Method of Coating and Finishing Sword scabbardsi Patented Feb. 28, 1871.

ttnitri litlt5 VIRGIL PRICE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Letters Patent No. 112,181, dated February 28, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN METHODS OF COATING AND FINISHING SWORD-SCABBARDS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of thesame.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, VIRGIL Peron, of thecity, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Sword-Scabbards; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which willenable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawing forming part of thisspecification.

The drawing represents a side view, partly in section, of my improvedsword-scabbard.

This invention has for its object to so improve iron and steel scabbardsthat the same will be protected from corrosion, strengthened so as notto be readily indented, and made less expensive than the metallicscabbards heretofore in use.

The invention consists in providing an iron or steel scabbard, which isplated with nickel. The nickel is applied by one of the well-knownprocesses of electroplating, and may be made of suitable thickness.

Metallic sword-scabbards have heretofore been made either without anycovering whatever, or they have been gold or silver-plated, or bronzed.

Those that are left with a plain or polished iron surface are liable tobe defaced by rust, and require a considerable amount of labor to bekept smooth and clear in service.

Tocarry out my invention I take a steel Scabbard and polish it so as tosecure a bright surface, suchas it is desirable for the Scabbard to havewhen finished. All ornamental etching and engraving should be donebefore polishing. I then apply a coating of nickel by any of the knownprocesses. Prior to applying the nickel a coating oftin, zinc, or othermetal may be applied, if desired, 80 as to enable the nickel to adherewith more tenacity.

The gold or silver-plated soabbards are not only too expensive forcommon use,.lout the plating on them, being of soft metal, is liable tobe indented or rubbed off. The scabbards for Templars swords are mostlysilver-plated. As they are considerably handled the silver is not onlyrapidly worn off, but it also soils the gloves and hands. The bronzedscabbards are not plated, but the outer surface of the iron isartificially corroded, and the rust so treated that it will adhere, andpolished. sire, and tends much to weaken the soabbards.

Thus, all the methods heretofore employed were either too expensive, orthey did not furnish scabbards of the requisite strength or durability.

By using the nickel-plating a on the steel Scabbard A the expense isconsiderably reduced and greater strength produced. The nickel does notcorrode, nor does it lose its bright appearance under atmosphericinfluences. It is very hard and durable, and serves to materiallystrengthen the steel. It is not costly, and is easily applied.

For military purposes this invention will be of special advantage, as itwill reduce the tedious labor of cleaning and polishing the scabbards.

Having thus described my invention,

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A process,herein described, for securing abright and durable surface on steel andiron sword-scabbards, the-same consistingin polishing and coating,substantially as described. 1

2. The improved Scabbard herein described, pro duced of material and bythe process described.

Witnesses: VIRGIL PRICE.

A. V. Bnrnsnn, Geo. W. MABnn The process is very tedious and expen-'

